The flight map for the precise Denver to Tokyo route, taken aboard the inaugural flight. The plane basically goes over the top of the globe, never leaving sight of land for very long. (Kristen Leigh Painter, The Denver Post)

ABOARD THE DREAMLINER — The first-ever direct flight between Denver and Tokyo went off about as smoothly as United Airlines could hope following months of false starts and redirected plans.

The 787 Dreamliner took off close to 1 p.m. on Monday and landed 10 hours and 52 minutes later at Narita International Airport.

Having been aboard United’s inaugural domestic flight of the new aircraft in November, Monday’s flight had an entirely different tone, which seemed to set a different agenda.

A week ago today our fine Denver Mayor Michael Hancock was behind the wheel of a “duck boat” cruising in the Charles River taking in the Boston skyline.

Traveling with a contingent of 165 business, government and nonprofit leaders on a Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Exchange trip, the mayor deftly turned the boat left (port) then right (starboard), following the direction of the zany tour guide, who called himself Capt. Meatball.

David joined The Denver Post in 1999, his second go-round in the Mile High City. Since then he’s covered a variety of topics – from human services to consumer affairs – most always with an investigative bent. Currently he does investigations and banking.